Graduates from our Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Diverse career paths – let the alumni tell you about the value of our program

2010s

Present Employer: Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Public Administration
The Year You Graduated: 2016

Tell prospective students a bit about the work you do?

Since August 2016, I have been fortunate enough to work for the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in the Digital Health Solutions and Innovation Branch as the Branch Coordinator. I am part of the Project Management Team, but my work expands over the entire Branch providing administrative, technical and HR support. On a daily basis I take care of the following:

The kind of work that I do requires a lot of multi-tasking and strong communication and organizational skills. The work requires professional conduct and maintaining confidentiality, but at the end of the day I do enjoy my job and can say that I have positive working relationships with my co-workers. One thing in government, and I'm sure in a lot of other jobs as well, is that you learn on the go. So, If I were to give one key advice to prospective students, it would be never to be afraid to ask questions!

Tell prospective students a bit about how your studies at York helped you to get where you are today.

I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration and minored in International Development Studies. I would consider myself a well-versed individual with background knowledge in both the public and not-for-profit sector and this is all thanks to my studies. My major in Public Administration exposed me to a number of different subjects that have helped me gain the experience and transferable skills needed for my current position. I have become almost like a "Jill of all trades" since taking courses in business, economics, HR, policy and public administration to name a few. In my final year of my undergrad I took the Practicum placement which led me to working for the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services in the Customer Care Division of Service Ontario. So all things considered, my studies at York have challenged me, encouraged me to critically think, but most importantly, have paved the path for me to new and greater opportunities.

Present Employer: Ryerson University
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Public Administration
Year Graduated: 2016

Tell prospective students a bit about the work you do?

I am currently a Graduate Student at Ryerson University, completing my Master of the Arts in Public Policy and Administration. I am also currently employed by Ryerson University as a Graduate Assistant. My position involves grading the tests, assignments, and exams of students in an upper level undergraduate course that examines the impact of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms on the criminal justice system in Canada.

Tell prospective students a bit about how your studies at York helped you to get where you are today.

Obtaining my Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA) at York University has helped me pursue graduate studies in numerous ways. Firstly, the interesting courses offered by the program and knowledgeable professors at the School of Public Policy and Administration (SPPA) allowed me to feel excited to go to class and learn. This excitement translated into achieving the competitive grades that I needed to be admitted into my graduate program at Ryerson. Secondly, the knowledge that I gained through my undergraduate studies has helped me excel in my graduate studies because the program equipped me with a strong foundation in public administration, and my specialization in the Law, Justice and Public Policy Stream allowed me to also gain extensive knowledge in these relevant areas that impact public administration. Lastly, throughout my undergraduate degree, I was heavily involved in the program’s student club, the Public Policy and Administration Student Association (PPASA). Serving as an executive member of the Association helped me to build connections with my peers and professors, and learn more about a career in the public service. The events hosted by the Association and SPPA seek to connect you with future employers, an opportunity that isn’t often granted by other programs.

Present Employer: Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Public Administration
Year Graduated: 2015

Tell prospective students a bit about the work you do?
I perform a variety of administrative functions in my role with emphasis both on efficiency and accuracy.
Some activities include:
• Drafting and editing various forms of documents including slide decks, agendas, process flow charts, spreadsheets, and correspondences.
• Drafting Grant Fund Agreements for the Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund.
• Scheduling appointments and meetings for Branch staff.
• Supporting management in the recruitment process, which includes assisting with the preparation of scoring sheets and assignments for interviews.

Tell prospective students a bit about how your studies at York helped you to get where you are today.

The Specialized Honours Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA) program, Management stream, at the School of Public Policy and Administration (SPPA) provided me with an in depth understanding of both the broader context and intricate workings of governance while stressing the importance of accountability and ethics. With this understanding at hand, it was rather seamless for me to transition from school to public service work as I was able to market myself effectively. Further, the practical learning experiences offered through the BPA curriculum exposed me to the 'nomenclature of governance' which has enabled me to be an effective communicator in the workplace from the get go leading to positive outcomes.

Present Employer: City of Toronto
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Public Administration
The Year You Graduated: 2014

Tell prospective students a bit about the work you do?

In my current role I am the intermediary between the nine divisions my Unit supports and Corporate Services (Human Resources, Payroll, IT) in payroll, HR, and administrative matters. My main goal is to ensure that the nine divisions we support are successfully and comfortably transitioned through the City's Enterprise Change Management Iniative to transform, modernize and innovate current processes in payroll, HR and administration.

We document all current 'as-is' processes and propose future 'to-be' processes. Once this is completed, we train all staff affected and provide them with necessary information to establish roles and responsibilities. We then perform pilot projects and test the systems to ensure that end users are satisfied with the product while eliminating possible audit risks in areas of payroll, labour relations, employment legislation and HR best practices. Once all of the steps are completed, we evaluate the project to develop "lessons learned" for the next project.

Tell prospective students a bit about how your studies at York helped you to get where you are today.

The Bachelor of Public Administration is a multi-disciplinary program that encourages future public servants to tackle issues from a wide range of disciplines. This program prepares you when entering the workforce by giving you the resources and tools to implement government programs and develop policies. I firmly believe that the training received and skills gained helped me advance my career by 10 years.

This program gives students real-life experiences and forces them to think outside the box when solving some of the most difficult cases in public service history. These skills are crucial as the public service continues to innovate and transform the ways they impact service delivery to the public while maintaining high levels of transparency and accountability.

Present Employer: Department of National Defence
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Public Administration
Year Graduated: 2014

Tell prospective students a bit about the work you do?

I started my career in the public service as a Strategy Specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Labour, where I developed evidence-based research priorities on strategic and emerging issues related to Ontario occupational health and safety. I also provided research knowledge to senior management for the identification and analysis of issues and trends that affect labour research policies.

After deciding to move to Ottawa, I worked for Health Canada as a Policy Analyst; and now in my current role I am working as a Program Analyst for the Department of National Defence. The division I work for is responsible for the development, coordination, and evolution of business management strategies, programs and policies within the Royal Canadian Navy. I provide support and advice on certain business planning activities, program management and performance management, as well championing the change program within our division.

Tell prospective students a bit about how your studies at York helped you to get where you are today.

The Public Administration program has many dedicated professors who teach a variety of courses tailored towards the success of the students. These courses not only provide insightful conceptual and theoretical material, but also entail real life experiences and practices to ensure students are well prepared when advancing their career in the public/private/non-profit sectors. Some of these courses are: Program Evaluation I & II, Advanced Public Policy Analysis, Practicum in Public Administration, Ethics and The Public Service: Integrity and Democracy, etc.

This unique combination of academic and hands-on experience was essential for furthering my career. Through the Practicum in Public Administration, I was given the opportunity to work with the Ontario Ministry of Labour, first as a student, and then hired as a Strategy Specialist. I continued to advance my academic career by pursuing a Master’s degree at Carleton University, and now working for the federal government. The Public Administration program at York University taught me to challenge myself and aim higher to succeed, while advancing my skills and proficiency in public policy and administration, and providing an enjoyable and valued experience.

I assist a Member of Provincial Parliament both at the constituency office and the legislature. I assist with legislation, communications, constituent concerns and administrative duties.

Tell prospective students a bit about how your studies at York helped you to get where you are today.

My studies at York helped me further my understanding of both government and politics. The public administration program in unison with a paralegal program I took earlier were great ways to prepare myself for my current job. I found that the courses offered relevant information to my field, furthermore the policy analysis stream courses were extremely useful in dissecting and analyzing current policy proposals that cross my desk.

Currently, I am a graduate student at York University in the Disaster and Emergency Management program. I am working with York University Professor Niru Nirupama as a Graduate Assistant.

Tell prospective students a bit about how your studies at York helped you to get where you are today.

As I strongly believe that helping others is a gratifying experience, not only to those in need but also for myself, and as part of my desire to always make myself accessible towards helping others, I pursued my degree in Public Administration, Specialized Honours in Law, Justice, and Public Policy at York University. With this degree, I believe I became well versed in public policy, administration, and learned how to effectively help members of the community see how they can benefit from various government programs.

This was a great building block for me because I then received a Professional Certificate from York University in Emergency Management. I interned with the City of Brampton's Emergency Management Office, and then went onto work in the Region of Peel's Regional Emergency Management. As I am once again back at York University doing my Masters in Disaster and Emergency Management, I am able to see how the learning, connections, and networking have helped me get where I am today.

My current role at the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care is as a Briefing Coordinator in the Deputy Minister's Office. The position gives me a chance to see the work being done throughout the Ministry, as well as how it relates to the Minister's Office, other Ministries and Cabinet Office. My role involves coordinating briefings for the Deputy and Minister, as well as generally supporting the coordination role the DMO has in policy development.

Tell prospective students a bit about how your studies at York helped you to get where you are today.

The School of Public Policy and Administration not only gave me the foundation I needed to find a job in my field, but gave me the understanding of the public administration system that helped me advance in my career. I was trained in subjects that ended up being relevant to my job by people who understood the industry.

Tell prospective students a bit about the work you do?
I’ve been very fortunate in my career so far to have had opportunities in a variety of areas within the OPS, including stakeholder management, policy analysis and strategic planning. My current position is with the Cabinet Office, Strategy and Results Branch, where I work with internal Cabinet Office partners and ministry partners to ensure decision makers have the most accurate and up to date information on the progress of key government priorities (e.g., Mandate letter commitments, Throne Speech commitments, Budget commitments, etc.).

Tell prospective students a bit about how your studies at York helped you to get where you are today.

I started working for the OPS weeks before graduating from the Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA) program and have had many opportunities that led me to where I am today in no small part because of the theoretical and professional training I received at York University.

My first opportunity in the OPS was as a business analyst for ServiceOntario within the Ministry of Government and Consumers Services, where I worked with federal and provincial partners to discuss and develop ways to make government service delivery in Ontario better. I helped to identify opportunities for collaboration as well as tried to understand and change the status quo.

My second opportunity began weeks before finishing the Master of Public Policy, Administration and Law (MPPAL) program. I accepted a position within ServiceOntario’s Strategic Planning and Policy Branch as a business advisor, where I supported the ministry with delivering its strategic and program objectives through sound evidence-based policy. Six months later, I started my new role as policy advisor within the same branch.

The timing between when I started these opportunities and when I completed my respective degrees at York were no coincidence! Both the BPA and MPPAL program helped me to think critically about policy and social issues; how decisions get made and to understand different perspectives. I frequently draw on my theoretical knowledge in policy research, analysis and critical thinking skills to solve current policy problems.

Most importantly, I have benefited from great faculty members, peer networks and strong practical and theoretical teaching in public administration, policy and law. Now, I hope to pay it forward as a proud York alumna!

Present Employer: York University
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy & Administration
The Year You Graduated: 2012

Tell prospective students a bit about the work you do?

As York University operates in a highly regulated sector, my primary responsibility is to help execute the university's strategic government relations plan.

This includes:

1) Communicating with federal, provincial, and municipal government officials to emphasize university priorities as they relate to infrastructure, research funding, and public policy;

2) Briefing the President and Chief of Staff on legislative and political developments at all levels of government to assess their impact on institutional interests;

3) Publishing a monthly newsletter for government stakeholders highlighting university events and research activity to position York as a credible partner in addressing public policy issues;

4) Promoting the York University community to government by encouraging students and faculty to apply to various government boards and committees;

5) Ensuring all university lobbying activity is reported and up to date.

Tell prospective students a bit about how your studies at York helped you to get where you are today.

My experience at York was instrumental in helping me get to where I am today. I found the coursework and tutorials to be both engaging and interesting. The Professors also had a lasting impact on me. Hearing about their professional experiences was very valuable and helped me understand the plethora of possibilities with the degree.

Courses that provided a practical component were a fantastic complement as they provided an opportunity to network and learn from professionals in the field in addition to helping me differentiate myself on my resume.

In my present role, as a Senior Advisor in the Office of the Budget, I am supporting the development of the operating annual and multi-year budgets for the Regional Municipality of York. Currently, the Region's gross operating budget is about $1.9 billion and it continues to grow. I work closely with the senior staff of other departments and provide strategic financial advice to them throughout the budget development process. My work involves, but is not limited to: developing budget guidelines and templates; reviewing and analyzing budget submissions to determine Region-wide impacts; coordinating development of policy products and budget reporting processes; writing and reviewing reports; preparing briefing notes that inform decision making; preparing budget presentations for Senior Management (including presentations to Council); undertaking complex analyses and providing policy advice and recommendations to the Commissioner of Finance.

Tell prospective students a bit about how your studies at York helped you to get where you are today.

York University has provided me with both theoretical and practical knowledge of public administration. The two courses that I found extremely helpful in the BPA program were the Practicum (AP/PPAS 4995 6.0) and the Program Evaluation courses (AP/PPAS 4310 3.0 and 4320 3.0). These courses not only provided an opportunity for practical application of the concepts learned through the first three years of the program, but also broadened my network of contacts.

On top of the exceptional courses educating us on governance and the policy cycle, other courses covering accounting, program evaluation and the public budget process, had equipped me with the capacity to also work in the private sector. Half a year after graduation, I got a position at B2B Bank. I started off as a Deposits and Banking Administration Officer, where I managed and administered various products in the department, such as RRSPs, RRIFs and other GIC and Non-GIC products. Despite starting with basic banking work-types, I was given the opportunity to upgrade my skills and learn more about the banking industry through various contracts in other departments, where I also learned about Mortgages, Loans, Securities and Trades.

Tell prospective students a bit about how your studies at York helped you to get where you are today.

The bank, similar to government ministries, contains an organizational structure with various policies and programs. Thus, the knowledge attained during my program provided me the lenses to not just look at the bank as a place to work at, but be able to critically review and analyze the entire structure and processes of the various products, the policies and the programs that were in place. And with the capacity to research and analyze, I was able to solve a variety of financial and non-financial related cases. On one occasion, I was even selected by my manager to perform a fraud analysis as part of a CRA investigation.

Consequently, I am convinced that the Public Administration programs offered by the School of Public Policy and Administration can help one become an exemplary competitor, who would be skilled for both the private and public sector. Through courses in administration, management, policy-analysis and law, the B.P.A. is the quintessential public-administration program. This use of an interdisciplinary set of theories and approaches helps students to learn analyze various classes of issues, and thereby enhance the shaping and defining of the policies and the systems that are in place.

Another important element for me came from the great array of professors I came to meet and be taught by, who shaped my passion and interest for this field. I look forward to being taught by more of them as I currently pursue my Masters in Public Policy, Administration and Law, also at York University.

Present Employer: UNDP Country Office in Kazakhstan
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy & Administration
The Year You Graduated: 2011

Tell prospective students a bit about the work you do?

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Office in Kazakhstan implements a Project-Based Management approach. Annually, over 30 projects are implemented by the Country Office in parallel. As a Project Manager, I oversee day-to-day administration of the project planning, monitoring and evaluation vis-à-vis the Kazakhstan (MFA)-Japan (JICA)-UNDP partnership, in accordance with the UNDP rules and procedures. I am in charge of human resources, finances and procurement for projects.

The Promoting Kazakhstan’s Official Development Assistance Cooperation (ODA) with Afghanistan is a pilot project of Kazakhstan’s ODA employing a ‘learning-by-doing’ capacity building approach. The project manager provides overall technical support to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Kazakhstan to promote civil service excellence in the area of ODA; and organizes thematic workshops for Afghan civil servants and NGO representative in Kazakhstan promoting gender equality policies.

Tell prospective students a bit about how your studies at York helped you to get where you are today.

The School of Public Policy and Administration has provided me with theoretical and practical knowledge in the field. In my fourth year of studies I took AP/PPAS 4995 6.0 Practicum in Public Administration course, which expanded my knowledge and expertise of public policy and administration. This experience enabled me to get hired for a summer job with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Hence, I strongly advise students to take part in internships and practicum opportunities as they expand their expertise and network of contacts.

Another memorable aspect of studies at York University is the multicultural and diverse learning environment, which enables students to effectively share knowledge and develop novel solutions to existing problems. While studying, I was an active member of the Kazakh Student Association at York University and took part in many social and cultural events. Participating actively in campus life builds cultural awareness and emotional intelligence - qualities which are indispensable in today’s diverse workplace environment.

Present Employer: Sole Proprietor
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy & Administration
The Year You Graduated: 2010

Tell prospective students a bit about the work you do?

I work as a lawyer. I defend criminal and regulatory offences, work on family law files, and assist clients with small claims matters. I generally spend my time on legal research, business administration, and court appearances.

Tell prospective students a bit about how your studies at York helped you to get where you are today.

I applied for work-study positions through the School of Public Policy and Administration during my undergraduate studies. My government policy courses gave me some context for thinking about decision makers' choices at work. And the student opportunities allowed me to apply what I learned in school - especially program evaluation, introductory statistics, and research skills.

Toward the end of my third year, I applied for a summer job with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. The Freedom of Information and Privacy Office hired me that summer. I helped respond to requests for information from political parties, journalists, and members of the public. I applied FIPPA in my work, and learned about statutory interpretation.

When school started again that September I continued with the Ministry part-time. When I wasn't studying, I worked on communications and research assignments for the office.

The SPPA offered placement opportunities as part of certain fourth year courses: I enrolled in the practicum course and the program evaluation courses. I completed my practicum at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure Legal Services Branch, where I helped lawyers with research tasks. I completed a student evaluation at the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade together with three classmates.

These experiences – especially my introductions to legal research and statutory interpretation – helped me later as a law student. More generally, these student jobs helped me develop a work ethic, learn to manage my time, and learn how to learn outside of school.

Present Job Title: Contracts Manager
Present Employer: The Walsh Group
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration & Justice Studies
The Year You Graduated: 2010

Tell prospective students a bit about the work you do?

After completing my degree in Public Administration at York University, I attended the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law where I received my JD. Upon graduating from law school, I completed the Law Practice Program at Ryerson University, was called to the Bar of Ontario and began working at Infrastructure Ontario as Legal Counsel. While at Infrastructure Ontario, I practiced law in the Litigation, Construction and Contract Management group, where I worked on a number of major infrastructure projects in the Province. I left the government to join a renewable energy asset management tech-company, working on large scale renewable energy infrastructure projects in California and Ontario. This position involved developing contract management processes for solar field and wind farm projects, and I was also required to research and write internal policy papers on legislative and regulatory developments in the renewable energy industry, so that Power Hub could develop software tools to better serve its domestic and foreign clients. Presently, I am working as a Contracts Manager at The Walsh Group and I am a practicing attorney for this Chicago based infrastructure firm. I work predominantly on P3 projects and my current portfolio includes: I) The development of a military base for Defense Construction Canada; II) Waste-Water treatment upgrades for the City of Toronto; III) The re-development of various hospitals with infrastructure Ontario; and IV) Completing the Subway Extension on the York University campus.

Tell prospective students a bit about how your studies at York helped you to get where you are today.

During my time at York, I studied along side students from around the world and under the tutelage of Professors who were engaging and truly passionate about their work. My studies at the School of Public Policy and Administration equipped me to be successful in law school, the government and in the private sector. I received a strong theoretical and practical education, which was truly multi-disciplinary. As a student at the School of Public Policy and Administration, you can take courses ranging from economics, accounting and human resource management to public law, multilevel governance, policy and program delivery. These courses are designed to help you develop the ability to analyze issues from a variety of different perspectives. Upon graduating, whether you find yourself in government, academia, or the private sector, you will be able to leverage the knowledge you have gained to make a meaningful impact in the world around you.

In my previous role (2013-2016), I managed major capital projects for a portfolio of First Nation communities in Ontario. The primary focus of my particular Directorate was infrastructure improvements on reserve. Some of the projects I worked on included water treatment plants, bridges, roads and wastewater treatment systems. It was a very challenging and high-profile position, but also very rewarding.

In my current role (2017-present), I work with the Indigenous Representative Organizations (IRO) of Ontario in advancing their membership needs. A few areas of influence include self-governance, education and capacity negotiations, and treaty rights. I also work as a liaison with other levels of government on files of mutual concern. It is a stark change from my previous role working on infrastructure projects, however this new role allows me to tap into other skill sets afforded me through the MPPAL program.

Tell prospective students a bit about how your studies at York helped you to get where you are today.

I also graduated from York University's Public Policy and Management BA program in 2009 which launched my career in the public service. The professional contacts and friends I made during the program allowed me to secure a student position at Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) during the summer of 2008, and I have continued to grow and advance my career ever since.

With the recent addition of the MPPAL program I am excited to see what new avenues will become open to me. I am actively engaging in policy discussion in my current environment and have applied the skills I learned through MPPAL in my daily activities.

I have recently been promoted to a new role working with the Indigenous Representative Organizations (IRO) of Ontario in advancing their membership needs. A few areas of influence include self-governance, education and capacity negotiations, and treaty rights. I attribute this recent shift in responsibilities to the skills and abilities honed through the MPPAL program.

After completing my degree in public administration at York University (2009), I went on to finish law school at McGill University. Following my graduation, I articled with a national law firm, and was called to the Bar of Ontario. Since then, I have been working as a Legal and Policy Advisor with the Ontario Hospital Association. In my current position, I apply both policy and legal expertise to address ongoing and emerging issues in Ontario's hospital sector. My role requires me to draw on my skill set in policy research, analysis and development, with an overall view on the larger legal context.

Tell prospective students a bit about how your studies at York helped you to get where you are today.

As a student at York, I was actively involved in a number of student groups, and served as the President of the Public Policy and Administration Students' Association (PPASA) for two years. In addition to gaining the necessary technical and soft skills in policy work through my studies, I also made many helpful connections through the PPASA that allowed me to advance my career in the public sector. Finding a smaller community through the SPPA was also helpful for academic and career related mentorship and guidance.

I help establish the regulatory environment for regulated property mainly related to the energy sector for property assessment purposes through the annual establishment of assessment rates, which in turn create property taxation revenue for Alberta's municipalities, as well other regulatory issues related to major industrial properties as they arise.

Tell prospective students a bit about how your studies at York helped you to get where you are today.

My education was an important foot in the door and helped develop the discipline necessary to succeed in my public sector career. Understanding the theoretical nature behind public sector administration and management provided me with a solid footing to begin my career with the Government of Alberta.

As a policy generalist, I've had the chance to work on various Cabinet documents, such as Memorandum to Cabinet, Treasury Board Submissions and Orders in Council. Some of the highlights from my past 8 years working in Ottawa include: working at the Privy Council Office where we supported the Prime Minister's Cabinet Committee on Plans and Priorities; drafting scenario notes for the weekly Deputy Minister's Breakfast Meeting; and, developing Canada's Space Policy Framework announced in February 2014. As a policy analyst, my work consists of analyzing complex issues, communicating the key points and providing advice and recommendations to the Government.

Tell prospective students a bit about how your studies at York helped you to get where you are today.

The Public Policy & Administration program at York University provided me with a strong foundation in Policy, Law and Economics, which also gave me a great framework to tackle complex policy issues faced by the Government. In addition, the Professors at York exposed me to a variety of policy issues from social policy, international affairs and a broad understanding of how Government works. They also challenged me to be a better writter and gave me all the tools to succeed in my career.

At Ontario's Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's eHealth Strategy and Investment Branch, I lead work in the following facets:

- Corporate/Business: review, analysis, and input on Transfer Payment Agreements, business and financial aspects of partner/agency/stakeholder Business Plans;
- Accountability: review of and provide advice on the accountability instruments (e.g. agreements) with stakeholders;
- Fiscal/Financial: prepare financial reports and analysis to support government-wide business planning (a.k.a. Program Review, Renewal and Transformation plan, formerly Results-based Plan);
- Communications: review and provide input on communication products in support of announcements, and of the Minister of Health's Housebook Note used in the Ontario Legislature;
- Relationship Management: Develop, maintain and manage relationships with major partners within the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Government of Ontario, Government of Canada, and external stakeholders in the health industry on key issues, initiatives and activities impacting the business of my branch.

Tell prospective students a bit about how your studies at York helped you to get where you are today.

I started my major in Political Science, later specialized in Public Policy and Administration (PPA) Honours and that was a key factor in my success in the public service.

Personal attributes aside, my PPA degree allowed me after my third year of undergrad to gain a placement as a Summer Intern in the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's Alternative Payments Program Branch in 2001. I maintained my relationship with the hiring manager who, years later, invited me to compete for a Senior Consultant position in a (then) new and exciting program, Family Health Teams.

As Senior Policy Advisor/Planner for over ten years with various Ontario ministries and arm's length organizations, I have accumulated extensive strategic leadership and policy development expertise as well as stakeholder liaison, communication, research and analytical skills. These skills have been put to good use in the work I have done including, for example: overseeing transfer payment agreements; leading large, multi-ministry research projects or engaging stakeholders to develop new programs or processes.

Tell prospective students a bit about how your studies at York helped you to get where you are today.

The value of this degree is how it develops your capacity to see issues from many different perspectives. This is critical in the policy and program development process as well as their administration. The Public Policy and Administration program provided me with the foundation and confidence to work in many different environments within and outside of government.

I have worked for the Ontario Government since 1992 in various policy analysis, program delivery and leadership roles including transportation planning, justice sector services and major infrastructure initiatives such as the redevelopment of Toronto's waterfront. In my current role, I am the chief operations officer for the Office of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner for Ontario. I oversee all aspects of the office's operations (HR, finance, IT, communications, etc.) and, along with legal cousel, assist the Commissioner in his role of advising, educating and making determinations on the activities of senior public servants to ensure that the government's activities are conducted in a non-partisan, professional and ethical manner.

Tell prospective students a bit about how your studies at York helped you to get where you are today.

York's PPA program provided me with an excellent foundation for my public service career. Courses in policy analysis, program evaluation, public law, economics and public finance were particularly helpful. The critical thinking skills that I developed and had to apply in the program, along with the program's constant requirement for students to think about the public interest, prepared me to enter and perform in the public service at a level that was well above my peers at the time. It was also those foundational skills and perspectives that have allowed me to advance my career many years later.

Present Job Title: Sessional Assistant Professor
Present Employer: School of Public Policy and Administration, York University
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy & Administration
Year Graduated: 1989

Tell prospective students a bit about the work you do?

After spending two decades working for the federal and provincial governments, and in the broader public sector, I am now teaching in the Public Policy and Administration Program at York University. I have the great pleasure of connecting practice and theory by working with students and their prospective employers to develop course content, and experiential education components. Beyond the great classroom experiences our students receive, they are able to get real experiences by participating in our practicum program as well as other opportunities to engage with real public servants. It is really rewarding to build these bridges between our students and the government and the broader public sector.

Tell prospective students a bit about how your studies at York helped you to get where you are today.

The PPA degree from York was like getting a passport that allowed me to experience many different places within the public and broader public sector. These insights and skills are immensely valuable and transferable, and I quickly realized it opened many doors for me to have a varied and rewarding career. I have been able to serve on a Royal Commission, represent the Province of Ontario in international business, work as a Chief of Staff to an Ontario Cabinet Minister, as well as work as a government relations professional for a number of colleges and universities. All this because of the foundational education opportunities I received in the PPA Program at York.

I am responsible for assuring a sound and tested controllership framework for all resources at the ministry: financial, staffing, technology, etc. As well, I work with my staff to ensure we are in compliance with all directives and requirements expected of ministries.

My division is also responsible for a call centre that handles 25,000 calls per year, working with landlords and tenants in voluntarily complying with the Residential Tenancies Act, and resolving disputes between parties before they escalate.

Tell prospective students a bit about how your studies at York helped you to get where you are today.

York's PPA degree was the foundation for both my graduate studies as well as my career in the Ontario Public Service. The courses, texts and professors were all instrumental in this foundation. Staying in touch with classmates has also been helpful as a valued network and it's been wonderful watching PPA alumni progress in their careers.

I joined the York Region Rapid Transit Corporation in the summer of 2016 where I’m supporting the further planning and development of a possible extension of the Yonge Subway line to Richmond Hill. In addition, I’m collaborating with a small team to procure technical and other consultant services the Corporation relies upon to further develop and deliver the vivaNext rapid transit capital program.

Prior to joining the York Region Rapid Transit Corporation, I was the Director of the Hurontario LRT project for Metrolinx. In collaboration with municipal and regional government and other provincial agencies I was responsible for the development and delivery of a 20 km, 22 stop light right transit (LRT) project along Hurontario Street in the cities of Mississauga and Brampton. The proposed $1.4 B LRT project would connect GO Rail stations, GO Bus, bus rapid transit, as well several Mississauga and Brampton bus routes offering travellers a more integrated, predictable and pleasant transit experience. In addition, the LRT, with its pedestrian friendly features, would help transform the corridor into a more sustainable, walkable and vibrant urban form in keeping with broader provincial initiatives.

I spent the bulk of my public service career with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation in a number of capacities culminating in my role as Director of the Windsor Border Initiatives Implementation Group. In that capacity, I led a multi-disciplinary team of professionals contributing to the development of a new international border system between Canada and the United States in the Windsor-Detroit region including the development and construction of the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway – the province’s extension of Highway 401 leading to the border. In addition to collaborating with many agencies in Ontario, we worked closely with members of the Bi-National Transportation Partnership, involving Transport Canada, the US Federal Highway Administration, and the Michigan Department of Transportation.

My past teams and I have been honoured by many organizations for our outstanding accomplishments. My proudest acknowledgements include: The Ontario Public Service Amethyst Award in 2014; the Institute of Public Administration of Canada/Deloitte 2010 Public Sector Leadership Award; and I am the inaugural recipient of the Alumnus of the Year from York University’s School of Public Policy and Administration in recognition of my contributions to public administration, mentoring students and young professionals.

Tell prospective students a bit about how your studies at York helped you to get where you are today.

York's program was one of the first, if the not the first, public policy and administration programs to be offered at the undergraduate level. Combined with other political science courses and a minor in economics, my education at York exposed me to key concepts that would prove valuable at the entry level and further in my public service career. I was able to leverage my understanding of governance, structures of administration, policy processes as well as my understanding of the fundamentals of economic systems in my workplace assignments. Critical to my start in the Ontario Public Service was the School of Public Policy and Administration's summer internship program. I was fortunate to work at the Ministry of Transportation in the summer of 1983 where I gained very valuable experience and came to the realization I could enjoy working in the public service and make a contribution to improving the quality of life for Ontario citizens. My public service career began with the Ministry of Transportation in 1984 and concluded with my retirement from the Ontario Public Service in 2016.